Electrocardiogram

While you are at Cedars-Sinai, you may have frequent electrocardiograms (EKGs) done. This painless test gives an electrical picture of how your heart is working.

The test requires only that you lie still while the technician puts electrodes on your arms, legs and chest. The electrodes, attached by sponge pads, can record the electrical activity of your heart. In some cases, chest hair may be shaved so there is better contact between the electrodes and the skin. The electrodes are connected by wires to an EKG monitor, which looks like a television. The test takes about five minutes.

An electrocardiogram shows a pattern of upward and downward waves as the electrical current grows stronger as your heart's muscle contracts. The current begins to fade as the muscle relaxes between beats.

Some of the things an electrocardiogram can tell your cardiologist are your heart rate, how regularly your heart is beating as well as the size and position of your heart's chambers, any damage to your heart and the effects of any drugs or devices used to regulate your heart. An electrocardiogram can also show whether a coronary artery is blocked and where the block is located. Other conditions, including high blood pressure, thyroid disease and some types of malnutrition, may appear on an electrocardiogram.

Doctors sometimes talk about a particular portion of the activity shown on an electrocardiogram by referring to the starting point and the ending point. For example, a QT interval is that part of an electrocardiogram that shows the time it takes for the electrical system to fire an impulse through the ventricles and then recharge. In other words, this describes the time it takes for the heart muscle to contract and then recover.

Room Monitors

While you are in the Intensive Care Unit, an EKG machine will continuously monitor you. The electrodes will be placed on your chest. The electrical activity of your heart is continuously recorded to help plan your therapy.

EKG electrodes are quite sensitive. Don't be frightened if your movement causes the monitor's alarm to go off. This is a safety feature to alert nurses and doctors of any significant changes in the rate or rhythm of your heartbeat.

Holter Monitors

Sometimes it is important to have a record of your heart's activity during the course of a day's normal activities. If so, your doctor may order a Holter monitor. This monitor is about the size of a personal mp3 player, and is connected by leads to electrodes on your chest.

You wear the monitor as you move about. It keeps a constant record of your heart rhythm on a tape recorder for 24, 48 or 72 hours.

This website converts English to other languages using an automated tool called Microsoft Translator™. The translations may include errors or change the intended meaning of the text. Please consult your healthcare provider about any medical information.

Translations may not be available for some items, including PDF documents, maps, video captions, and text that appears on photos. Also, some features on the website may not work in the translated versions.

This Web page converts English to other languages â â using an automated tool called Microsoft Translatorâ ¢. Translations may include errors or change the intended meaning of the text. Please consult your doctor about any medical information.

Translations may not be available for some articles, including PDF documents, maps, video legends and text that appears in the photos. Also, some of the features on the website may not work in the translated versions.